Authentic Union cannon from the Battle of Gettysburg hits the mark for $86,250 at Oct. 12th auction An authentic Civil War cannon, fired by Union troops at the Battle of Gettysburg, sold for $86,250 at an on-site sale of the contents of the Dancy-Polk House Inn, held October 12th in Decatur, Alabama

News-Antique.com - Oct 16,2013 - (DECATUR, Ala.) – An authentic Civil War cannon, fired by Union troops at the Battle of Gettysburg, dated 1855 and complete with documented provenance, sold for $86,250 at an on-site sale of the contents of the Dancy-Polk House Inn, held Oct. 12 in Decatur. The Dancy-Polk House Inn, constructed in 1829, is one of only four buildings in Decatur to survive the Civil War.

No fewer than 500 lots came up for bid at the historic residence, under a huge tent with comfortable seating. The auction was co-held by Stevens Auction Company, based in Aberdeen, Miss., with help from Empire Auction Gallery of Athens, Ala. From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Civil War items were sold alongside antiques from the Dancy Polk-House Inn, as well as other items.

“It was a perfect day for an auction, with sunny skies and just a slight breeze blowing,” said Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company. “It was also one of the largest crowds for an outside event we’ve had in three years or more. Close to 700 people attended the sale in person, while phone and absentee bidding were both heavy.” It was a country sale – no Internet bidding.

The cannon, purchased by a bidder from Georgia, was from the private collection of an avid Civil War collector. It was expected to be the top lot of the day, and it easily claimed that honor. The cannon, a 3.67-caliber weapon and one of three six-pounder models utilized by the Union Army at Gettysburg in 1863, was last fired in 1947. It is truly a piece of American history.

Other Civil War items included a Confederate drum, also from the Battle of Gettysburg ($9,200), an Alabama double-banded rifle signed Dixon and Nelson dated 1864 and fired by Confederate soldiers ($13,800), a pair of Confederate Dog River swords ($8,625, $8,395), a wood canteen with “P. Schneider C&C 5th Reg.” on one side and “Lookout Mt., TN Nov. 25th, 1893 “ on the other ($5,175) and a leather belt with Confederate buckle stamped “C.S.” ($4,600).

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.

The runner-up for top lot of the sale was a spectacular Empire banquet table, 14 feet long and five feet wide, made circa 1890 and signed R. J. Horner, the renowned 19th century furniture maker ($19,550). The table had acanthus carved claw feet with six skirted leaves. Also, a set of twelve mahogany Chippendale chairs (one arm, eleven sides, all circa 1910), went for $7,590.
A pair of eye-grabbing lots both topped the $10,000 mark. The first was an elegant 1935 Chrysler Airstream four-door sedan, all original. The car with a new set of tires and new 12-volt electrical system, was last painted 25 years ago and featured turn signals. It sped off for $16,675. Also, a circa 1930s mahogany Steinway piano with stool, in excellent condition, rose to $10,350.

A pair of beds with completely different back stories crossed the block. A monumental